The Direct Install program is an excellent way for your business to reduce energy costs and save money. This effortless program provides qualifying businesses with FREE energy-efficient products, FREE installation and long-term energy savings.

How Direct Install Works

SCE has contracted with highly-skilled energy efficiency experts who will come and evaluate your small business, free of charge, to identify energy savings opportunities. With your approval, the contractor will install FREE energy-efficient replacement equipment. By replacing the less efficient equipment with new, energy-efficient technology, your business will reduce its energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill — all at no cost to you.

The contractor will take 5–10 minutes to complete the energy assessment and make recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your business. If you agree with the recommendations, the contractor will ask you to sign an Authorization Form and schedule an appointment for a convenient time to install the equipment. Installation of recommended energy-efficient equipment will take less than two hours and your business can remain open.

Take the opportunity to participate this year and let us know you are interested, this program might not be back in the area for another few years. To see approximately when your Direct Install Contractor, CRI Lighting & Electrical, will be in our area, please view the enclosed Direct Install Community Calendar.

Learn how other business owners lowered their energy usage with Direct Install by visiting www.sce.com/sbd then click on Direct Install.

It’s really that easy. There’s no catch. Simply let us help your business use energy more efficiently, conserve precious resources and improve your bottom line.

Feel free to contact us directly with questions you may have about the program.

In 2016-17 the Oxnard Chamber was fortunate to participate in a statewide grant for the development of youth employment and to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. We added a part-time staff member and developed some exciting programs. Working with the Oxnard Union High School District (OUHSD) and the Ventura County Civic Alliance, we partnered to hold Intern Boot Camps, a Girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, and Math) day, and an “Entre to Employment” dinner to highlight careers in the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, that grant ended June 30, 2017.

However, we are continuing our efforts in 2018 with an intern-ready certification program. Working with the OUHSD, we are developing criteria for students to qualify to earn a certificate acknowledging they have completed coursework, workplace tours, job shadowing, and career exploration.

Once a student has obtained the intern-ready certification, employers can be certain they will benefit from providing internships. We are looking for businesses who will embrace this program and guarantee interviews for certified students. Not only is this a great way to look for prospective workers, but it is a great way to invest in our future workforce.

If you are interested in this new program, please give me a call (805-983-6118 x 4) or email me. Thanks!!

You are reading an award-winning newsletter!! The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce was given the top honor at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) annual conference in Henderson, Nevada last week.

The anonymous panel of judges found the Oxnard publication easy to read and contained thought-provoking headlines. They particularly like the “5 Things we did…” section, which is a regular feature.

An ad hoc committee of Chamber staff and volunteers redesigned the Business Voice last year. We hope you agree with the W.A.C.E. judges!

The Oxnard Chamber also received an Honorable Mention award for its website

California’s Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450) provides California workers with protection from immigration enforcement while on the job. This law applies to all California employers and was effective January 1, 2018.

One of the requirements of this new law is that employers must provide notice to all current employees when a federal immigration agency intends to inspect the employer’s Forms I-9 or other employment records.

Required Notice to Employees

If an employer receives a Notice of Inspection from a federal immigration agency, the employer must post a required notice to employees in the workplace within 72 hours of receiving the Notice of Inspection.

The Labor Commissioner released an official notice for employers to use. The Notice to Employee (Labor Code section 90.2) is available in English and Spanish.

The notice must be posted in the language normally used to communicate with employees. A copy of the Notice of Inspection and any accompanying documents must be posted along with the required notice.

In addition to posting the notice in the workplace, employers must give the notice to the employees’ collective bargaining representative(s), if any.

Additional Notice Requirements

Employers also have notice obligations once the inspection is over. Within 72 hours of receiving the inspection results, employers must give each “affected employee” a copy of the results and a written notice of the employer’s and employee’s obligations arising from the inspection.

An “affected employee” is one identified by the inspection results as potentially lacking work authorization or having document deficiencies. There is not a template for this notice; it must be specific to the affected employee.

Preparation Is Essential

Employers only have 72 hours from the time they receive a Notice of Inspection to generate and post the required notice to employees, and only 72 hours from receipt of the inspection results to notify affected employees. Employers who violate the notice requirements can face penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, depending on whether it’s a first or subsequent offense.

Because the timeframes are so short, preparation is key to meeting the notice requirements. Employers should have a process in place to respond to Notices of Inspection. Employers should identify who in their organization would likely receive a Notice of Inspection and confirm that person knows how to respond.

CalChamber added the new Notice to Employee English and Spanish versions to the HRCalifornia website. These forms are available for free.

Opportunity knocks only once a year to honor the people and businesses that make Oxnard an outstanding community. Nominations for the 2018 Business & Community Awards are now open. The deadline is March 23, so get those nominations together now. We all know people who have contributed to the Oxnard community, so why not honor them?

The 2018 award categories are:

Distinguished Citizen of the Year Man of the Year Woman of the Year Small Business of the Year Large Business of the Year Downtown Business of the Year Innovative Business of the Year Service Organization of the Year

Being nominated for one of these prestigious awards is quite an honor. To nominate an individual, business or organization, complete and submit the nomination form by March 23.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Click here for details. Allow your organization to gain visibility and recognition by supporting the honoring of Oxnard’s worthiest businesses and citizens. One of the fantastic perks of sponsoring this event is inclusion on the award selection committee.

The 68th Annual Community & Business Awards will be held Friday, April 27, 2018 at 11:30am at Levity Live at the Collection. Reservations are required in advance and are $50 per person. Visit www.oxnardchamber.com or call the Chamber to register or become an event sponsor.